Edition 120/ December 2025

California Consulting is proud to highlight an exciting achievement for one of our valued clients, Sunset Equity Group. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Authority (SHRA) has awarded a $3,581,500 Legal Services RFP to Donel and Associates, a highly respected full-service law firm known for its extensive expertise in real estate and housing law.

Donel and Associates brings comprehensive legal capabilities to the table, including landlord-tenant disputes, fair housing services, affordable housing development, land acquisition and sales, and more. Firm leader Ben Donel, who is also a licensed real estate agent and financial lender, brings a full-cycle perspective that strengthens the team’s leadership and service delivery.

This success was made possible through the exceptional work of California Consulting Senior Project Manager Ashley Ramsey, who collaborated closely with the Sunset Equity Group Legal Services team and authored the winning proposal. Her attention to detail, strategic approach, and dedication helped secure this significant award and strengthen Sunset Equity Group’s capacity to support SHRA’s critical housing initiatives. This win is a testament to the power of partnership, expertise, and well-crafted proposals.

Congratulations to Sunset Equity Group, Donel and Associates, and our own Ashley Ramsey for this outstanding achievement!

California Consulting is thrilled to congratulate San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program (SGVROP) on receiving $1,994,951 through the 2024 Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) from the California Department of Education. This grant supports career technical education programs that prepare students for high-demand careers and post-secondary success.

Our Project Manager, Maria Sokol, collaborated closely with SGVROP administrators to craft a strong, competitive application that successfully secured the funding. This achievement highlights the power of teamwork and strategic planning in helping districts access resources that expand educational opportunities and strengthen student outcomes.

California Consulting is proud to partner with SGVROP and other districts across the state to support innovative career technical education programs that prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow.

California Consulting is pleased to announce that Pioneers Memorial has been awarded $810,316.50 through the PATH CITED Grant Program. This significant funding will support the advancement of key programs and services that strengthen the organization’s impact within the community.

This award reflects a strong collaborative effort between the dedicated administration at Pioneers Memorial and California Consulting Project Manager Tereza Sarkisyan, whose work helped bring this grant to completion. Their shared commitment and attention to detail were instrumental in securing this opportunity.

The PATH CITED grant will provide critical resources to help Pioneers Memorial continue expanding its programs, enhancing service delivery, and further supporting the community it serves.

California Consulting extends its warmest congratulations to Pioneers Memorial and looks forward to the continued success of this partnership.

California Consulting is proud to announce another strong month of success, securing several important grant awards for our clients in November. Our team continues to work diligently to pursue competitive funding that supports community development, public safety, infrastructure, education, and local priorities across California.

Below is a summary of the grants awarded this month:

David Marquez Secures $133.4 Million in Funding for California Communities

David Marquez, Senior Project Manager at California Consulting, has secured $133,398,590 in competitive grant funding across more than 85 awards, supporting major public projects throughout California. His work has helped cities address essential infrastructure needs, expand community services, and improve overall quality of life for residents.

A significant portion of the funding has supported large-scale environmental and infrastructure initiatives. This includes a $14.7 million Measure W Safe Clean Water Program award for the City of Baldwin Park’s Upper San Gabriel River Watershed project, a $14.3 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund award to construct a new sewer force main serving the Hollister Wastewater Treatment Plant, and $12.5 million from the Prop 1 Stormwater Grant Program for the Barnes Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture Project in Baldwin Park. These projects strengthen local water systems, increase stormwater capture capacity, and improve long-term environmental resilience.

Marquez’s work also extends to community-serving projects that have a direct impact on neighborhoods. He secured $7 million for the City of Baldwin Park to build a new Family Service Center, $5 million for the City of Berkeley to create the New Santa Fe Park along the former Railroad Trackbed, and nearly $4.5 million for major improvements at Pritchard Park in the City of Bell. Together, these investments support new recreational spaces, expanded public resources, and revitalized community areas.

In addition to infrastructure and park development, Marquez has helped agencies obtain funding for public safety initiatives, housing and homelessness intervention programs, and youth and community services. These awards include support for Body-Worn Camera programs, Emergency Operations Center equipment, and a range of local services designed to meet evolving community needs.

With more than $133 million secured, David Marquez has played a key role in helping California cities fund critical projects that strengthen infrastructure, enhance safety, and expand services for residents.

California Consulting is proud to highlight the ongoing efforts of our Management Assistant, Caitlin Williams, who plays a vital role in strengthening our firm’s engagement with key federal agencies in Washington, D.C. Caitlin’s work helps ensure California Consulting stays ahead of emerging grant opportunities and funding programs, supporting public works, emergency services, infrastructure, community development, education initiatives, and K–12 funding priorities.

Recently, Caitlin met with the American Public Works Association (APWA), the International Economic Development Council, and the Bureau of Reclamation, among others, to discuss the needs of public works departments and agencies throughout California. Through these meetings, she continues to keep her finger on the pulse of federal funding—particularly for K–12 education—while tracking programs that support water conservation, public safety, disaster recovery, transportation innovation, and environmental remediation, including:

• USBR WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG) – Up to $5 million per project, supporting water conservation and renewable energy in the Western U.S.

• FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) – Funding for fire departments nationwide to enhance emergency preparedness and community safety.

• EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grants – $250,000 to $50 million to support disaster recovery, resilience, and regional economic transformation.

• U.S. Department of Transportation SMART Grants – Up to $2 million for technology-driven transportation solutions.

• EPA MARC Grants – Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grants to address contaminated sites and environmental hazards.

• USDOT BUILD Grants – Planning and capital funding for transportation infrastructure projects. Capital awards range from a $1 million minimum in rural areas and $5 million minimum in urban areas, up to a maximum of $25 million. Planning projects have no minimum award requirement, with a required local match of up to 20%.

Caitlin’s updates from Washington, D.C. provide the California Consulting team with timely insight into federal program timelines, grant deadlines, and agency communications. Her proactive outreach ensures our team remains well-positioned to support communities pursuing critical funding opportunities across multiple sectors, including education and K–12 programs.

“Caitlin’s work in Washington, D.C. is a tremendous asset to our clients. Her consistent engagement with federal agencies ensures we stay ahead of emerging opportunities and can bring timely, impactful information back to the organizations we serve. We’re incredibly proud of the relationships she’s building on behalf of California communities,” stated Shasta Bell, Director of Communications, California Consulting Inc.

We are grateful for Caitlin’s dedication and the impact she continues to make in Washington, D.C., helping keep California Consulting at the forefront of federal funding developments.

California Consulting is pleased to highlight the recent success of our Senior Program Manager, Sonia Hall, who presented Grant Writing 101: Best Practices at the Marine Recreation Association (MRA) Conference in San Diego.

Sonia delivered an engaging and highly informative session focused on practical strategies to help agencies strengthen their grant-seeking efforts. Attendees received clear guidance on how to structure competitive applications, identify strong funding opportunities, and develop effective project narratives. The workshop was well attended and very well received, reflecting both the high level of interest in grant development and Sonia’s ability to connect with and empower participants.

California Consulting extends a sincere thank you to the Marine Recreation Association for inviting us to share this information with their members. We value the opportunity to support organizations working to enhance coastal, marine, and recreational resources across the region.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with MRA and helping more agencies position themselves for successful funding opportunities in the year ahead.

California Consulting was honored to be invited by Assemblymember Laurie Davies to participate in her Free Grant Writing 101 Workshop, an event designed to help community organizations, nonprofits, and local leaders understand the fundamentals of securing grant funding.

Assemblymember Laurie Davies welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of equitable access to resources and funding for local projects. California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian also shared brief remarks and introduced Grant Specialist Sam D’Ambrosio, who delivered an engaging and informative presentation to a full audience, covering key strategies and best practices for successful grant writing.

The webinar received an overwhelmingly positive response, with participants walking away equipped with practical tools and insights to pursue funding opportunities effectively. California Consulting extends a heartfelt thank you to Assemblymember Laurie Davies for the invitation and the opportunity to support the community through education and guidance on grant writing.

MMASC recently held its annual conference in Indian Wells, bringing together leaders from across the region for meaningful discussions on growth and community development. California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian was invited to serve as a panelist, joining Joseph Dieguez, Senior Vice President of Kosmont Companies, and Eric Ceja, Assistant City Manager for the City of Indian Wells, for the session titled “Road Map for Growth: Climate, Housing, and How to Pay for It

The session drew a packed audience and generated meaningful conversations around building resilient, thriving communities. Attendees walked away with actionable perspectives on leveraging funding mechanisms to support climate initiatives, housing development, and long-term growth planning.

California Consulting is proud to contribute to these critical conversations and to support leaders across California in navigating pathways to sustainable community progress.

Coastal Waterways Grants

Housing Grants

Planning Grants

Climate

Fire Grants

Education Grants

Municipal Grants

Police Grants

Park Grants

Public Works Grants

California Consulting is pleased to welcome Mary Valencia as a Senior Associate, bringing with her an impressive background in government relations, public affairs, and policy leadership across the public and private sectors.

Most recently, Mary served as Director of Government Relations for BIGO Live, a global live video streaming platform, where she managed city, state, and federal legislative and policy issues. Before that role, she was Vice President of Government Affairs (Western Region) at OUTFRONT Media (formerly CBS Outdoor), overseeing government affairs activities across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In this role, Mary worked extensively across jurisdictions while managing legislative consultants and coordinating with trade associations.

Mary’s career reflects deep expertise in navigating complex government environments. Her previous experience includes serving as West Division Manager of Global Government and Public Affairs for McDonald’s and Manager of State & Local Government Affairs for Fox Entertainment Group. She has also held key roles within the administrations of a California State Attorney General, a Speaker of the California State Assembly, and a member of the Los Angeles City Council.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mary is deeply committed to public service and community engagement. She currently serves on the Board of the Community Foundation of the Verdugoes, where she chaired the Scholarship Committee from 2020 to 2024. Her past service includes roles as a Parking & Transportation Commissioner for the City of Glendale, board member for the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and L.A. County Business Federation (BizFed), and volunteer work with the Ronald McDonald House in the Phoenix area. Mary also proudly served for four years as a member of the California Physician Assistant Board, helping protect consumers through licensing, program approval, and enforcement of the Physician Assistant Practice Act.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor degree from Pacific West College of Law. Outside of work, she is a passionate follower of politics. She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling both domestically and internationally, reading, and watching dramatic series centred on diplomacy and espionage.

We are thrilled to welcome Mary to the California Consulting team and look forward to the expertise, leadership, and perspective she brings to our clients and communities.

Zaina Masood

Ian Wang

This fall, we were fortunate to have two exceptional University of Southern California students join our team as interns—Zaina Masood and Ian Wang. Zaina is a sophomore majoring in International Relations & Global Business and Data Science, and Ian is a junior majoring in Political Science. Throughout their time with us, both brought enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong willingness to learn that truly enhanced our work and team culture.

Zaina and Ian consistently demonstrated initiative, thoughtful collaboration, and a positive attitude, making meaningful contributions across their projects. We are grateful for the dedication and fresh perspectives they shared during their internship.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future for their many years of partnership with California Consulting. This continued collaboration allows us to support and mentor emerging leaders while strengthening the connection between academic learning and real-world public service.

As they move forward into the next chapters of their academic and professional journeys, we wish Zaina and Ian continued success and fulfillment in all their future endeavors. Thank you both for being such a valuable part of our team—we’re excited to see all that you accomplish next.

CC is excited to welcome the City of Marysville, Western Placer Unified School District, Biggs Unified School District, the Free Up Foundation, Duarte Unified School District, the City of Fort Bragg, Stepping Stones Project, and City of Citrus Heights into the California Consulting Community for grant writing services. We are excited to secure funding for your projects.  

California Consulting is proud that the City of Nevada City, the County of San Bernardino, and the City of Solvang have chosen to renew our contract. We greatly appreciate your continued trust in our services and look forward to building on the successes we’ve achieved together.

12/11- Senior Associate Scott Carpenter attended the Assemblymember Tri Ta Holiday Event.

12/10- Senior Client Relations Associate Karen Herrera and Project Manager Hector Vasquez attended the All Cities Reception held at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles. The All Cities Holiday Reception was graciously hosted by the L.A. Division of CalCities, and Cal. Contract Cities Association and Independent Cities Association.

12/10- Senior Associate Janine Heft attended the Association of California Cities – Orange County and Orange County Business Council Holiday Event. Janine is pictured with Mayor Bob Ruesch, City of Mission Viejo

12/10- Senior Associate Janine Heft attended the OC Board of Supervisors Holiday Event. Janine is pictured with OC County Supervisor Don Wagner.

12/9- California Consulting Project Manager Hector Vasquez attended the Assocition of Public Works of America (APWA) BEST Awards Luncheon

12/4- California Consulting Senior Associate Scott Carpenter attended the Senator Stephen Choi holiday party in Orange County. Scott is pictured with Senator Choi, Assemblyman Tri Ta, City of Yorba Linda Councilwoman Janice Lim, and other Orange County leaders. 

11/19- California Consulting, Inc. Senior Client Relations Associate Karen Herrera attended the recent California Contract Cities Association November Board meeting showcasing the City of Long Beach and its Mayor Rex Richardson!

11/12-11/14- CEO Steve Samuelian and Project Manager Hector Velasquez attending the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) Annual Conference. California Consulting is a proud sponsor of MMASC.

11/12- Senior Project Manager Sonia Hall attended the Marine Recreation Association (MRA) Conference in San Diego

Thank you to all of the media outlets that feature California Consulting in their publications.

California Consulting Client Spotlight: City of Vallejo

California Consulting's Angelica Aguilera Secures $14.8 Million in Grants for Clients

Cal Consulting Client Spotlight: County of Kern



California Consulting is proud of our Business Development Associates across the state.

The State's Premiere Grant Writing Company